the underground chambers, looking around with a bit of weariness and sleepiness in his expression.

  His loose pajamas billowed out as he walked, the cold air and slight breeze from the floors above making him almost trip on his garments every once in a while. Fatima followed behind him, clad in usual alchemical wear. She had refrained from changing, which said things about their work determination than words ever could.

  The unnamed Vulpur and Monsour followed, all heading to the basement. In the front of the group was Kael, who had his hands folded neatly behind his back. His crimson eyes flickered slightly as he turned to the group, frowning.

  "It appears the emperor's inner circle has been compromised by a fraud wishing despair."

  The unnamed Vulpur bared his teeth, his voice low as he threatened to rip him limb from limb. Seeing this, Kael couldn't help but chuckle with amusement.

  "Calm yourself, my pryer. I've already delved into him and... dismissed his remnants."

  "You killed him?" Fatima's eyes widened, a pit forming in her stomach.

  Kael nodded, a regretful sigh parting his lips as he fiddled with his fingers. "It was the emperor's words. He told me to kill him, so I did so."

  "Kill him? Why not just banish him or send him to a punishment site?" Monsour inquired.

  "Well... I would give context, but your civilization sounds like it just discovered the wheel."

  All four Vulpurs stopped in their tracks, taken aback. "What does that have to do with anything?" Francis burst out.

  Kael stopped mid-step, turning back to face them again. "It's too confusing for you to understand. The history you know was constructed from cowardice, built on the fear of another forest fire—more vicious humans breaking in and stealing you and your people."

  He walked forward, standing only a foot from the group now. "Just think about what happened to your friend, Demetruis. He works under the emperor's boot now."

  Before any of the Vulpur's in the room could digest that statement, Kael clapped his hands three times and began walking again. On either end of the dimly-lit chamber, they saw countless, empty cells. The only remnants of an individual that could be seen was a discarded skeleton lying slack against the wall.

  "W-what is this place exactly?" Monsour asked.

  "This is where Empress Katsuki liked to keep the people she deemed as not fit to be amongst her legion. I can remember the days I saunter down here, reveling in the screams and cries for mercy. They had all attempted to siege the throne, to claim power, or assassinate her."

  The Vulpurs behind Kael all fell silent, expressions gradually furrowing as they gazed at the large number of cells. If all of them had been filled at a point in time, one could say nearly the population of a small town tried to overthrow her.

  "Sounds like a lot of people didn't like her," Francis commented, shivering to himself. It wasn't due to the actual temperature, but the sheer thought and existential horror of being locked up like this. It was dark down here, freezing, barren, who knows how and if food circulated. They could have gotten scraps, or they could have eaten each other—or the rats that crawled around.

  "I'd watch your tongue down here," Kael commented, smirking.

  He turned back to the group, expression darkening. Around him, the shadows seemed to dance and collide, taking the form of illusory, ethereal ghosts and spirits. "I've heard whispers down here, whispers that cry and plead for freedom. They'd rather face an eternity of torment in the abyss than keep living like this down here."

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  "Y-you're saying there's actual ghosts down here? Damn..." Fatima tried to act like she didn't find the entire ordeal slightly terrifying, but being faced with Kael and the darkened environment, she couldn't help but shrivel.

  "Rumors, just rumors," Kael assured. "Now, it's time I deliver you your purpose for staying here."

  They approached a door at the end of the hallway, opening it. Inside was a darkened room, with a singular desk and chair, alongside two mannequins clad in armor, striking poses as if they were engaged in a fierce battle. With the wave of his hand, Kael shut the door behind them.

  He walked over to the desk, sat down and smiled at the group. "Francis, Fatima, you're first in line. After all, you managed to please the emperor first."

  "R-really?" Fatima couldn't help but feel a little flustered. Shaking off the remnants of the catacombs beneath the castle, she slowly sat in the plush armchair opposing Kael. Francis stood beside the table, paw-like hands clasped neatly together.

  Kael nodded. At this moment, illusory flames condensed to form a metallic chalice engraved with symbols. Within the chalice wasn't a beverage, but more flames that surged upwards. The flames weren't violent or corrupting in nature, but collected and able to be controlled. They danced within the chalice, reflecting some reddish hues, and some pin-points that were black as night.

  "What's that?" Francis habitually took a step back, tail flaring up like a defensive cat.

  Kael sighed, rolling his eyes. "This is what I call a Bestowment Chalice. It's used to make deals, contracts, and other things as such."

  "So... it's a fancy pen of sorts?"

  Kael grumbled, nodding. "Yes, one could say that."

  "Then where do I write with it? There's gotta be something I can sign with. Where do I gotta sign?" Francis suddenly burst open with questions.

  "Silence, tail-back." Kael's voice suddenly emerged, dual-tone, making the entire room shake slightly.

  An indescribable sense of fear suddenly coursed over Francis, making the Vulpur step back, ears and tail twitching violently.

  "S-sorry!"

  "It's fine; rushing is a fool's gambit." Kael accepted the apology, his formal demeanor returning as swiftly as it left.

  "Anyways, you won't actually sign anything tangible, but pledge your allegiance to the throne, to the cause, to the betterment of the world."

  As Kael spoke, his fingers drifted in circles above the flames. His whispers seemed to ripple the fire within the cup, having it circle and spout upwards into a tangible pillar that erected to the ceiling. The Bestowment Chalice began to shake and tremble, humming softly.

  "Francis and Fatima, do you solely pledge your allegiance to the cause, to the holy betterment, to the world that you strive to help?"

  The two twins exchanged a worried glance, one shoving each other towards the fire, urging them to touch it first. Kael huffed, rolling his eyes in tangible annoyance.

  "Will one of you step forward, or should I force your head into the flames?"

  This remark shot through the twins like a serum of death. Fatima, in a flurry, extended her paw-like hand into the fire, wincing as it stung her skin. After a few moments, accompanied by Kael's signal, she removed it. Francis moved forward, rolling up his sleeves and sticking his hand into the flames. Kael's signal was given, and he removed his hand.

  The unnamed Vulpur and Monsour followed, receiving their fiery blessings. When they all looked at their palms, they noticed a strange-looking symbol etched into their flesh.

  "W-what's this?" Francis asked, showing his palm to Kael. The man suddenly smirked, flicking his wrist. At this moment, all four Vulpurs let out grunts of pain as they collapsed to the ground, writhing, faces contorting with pain as the sigils burnt and glowed with a fiery, crimson red.

  A sizzling energy emitted from the sigil coursing through the veins of the Vulpur's. Their eyes, previously a myriad of colors, were tinged with red. In unison, all of the Vulpurs stood up, bowing to Kael in unison.

  "The will shall be done."

  Hearing this, Kael sighed softly, dismissing them.

  Francis and Fatima departed back to their lab, while the unnamed Vulpur and Monsour retreated back to their quarters. At this moment, the door opened again. Felonious, clad in a silk robe, entered the room and sat down. His gaze lingered on the fleeting images of his fellow species before speaking.

  "You had a meeting with them, I presume?"

  Kael nodded, flicking his wrist, causing the Bestowment Chalice to dissipate into crimson flames. "I tutored them for a short while; I'll be dispatching them to Seraphis Kingdom in two days."

  "Two days, already? Shouldn't there be additional preparations?" Felonious asked with bewilderment.

  The elven man shook his head. "All the discussion has been made in this room; they're going back to the quarters to either rest or continue... if those ghastly twins even sleep."

  "Francis and Fatima? They're quite the restless bunch."

  "They're annoying," Kael retorted, snorting as he chuckled.

  Felonious suddenly pointed to the area where the chalice once sat, arching an eyebrow. "Were you drinking just now? Shouldn't you be attending a charity meeting?"

  "A meeting?..." Kael suddenly gazed down at his pocket watch. "At this ungodly hour?"

  The white-haired Vulpur nodded. "They're waiting for you."

  Before Felonious stood to leave, he paused for a beat, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air. "I smell... flames."

  "Flames?" Kael asked, a sense of genuine curiosity and slight concern in his voice.

  Felonious's brows furrowed for a second, but his expression suddenly relaxed as he headed to the door. "Perhaps the Raddican wine is taking such an effect now."

  "Raddican Berries? The stuff humans can't eat?" Kael folded one hand over the other.

  "Yes, though... I'm sure you can eat it." Felonious replied.

  "See if those twins can genetically alter them; Seraphis Kingdom will love them."

  Felonious dug into the pockets of his robe in an almost mocking way, scoffing. "I have none on me."

  Kael fell silent for a moment, leaning back in his chair. "If you can't find them, journey back to your kingdom and get some more."

  "B-but—"

  Before Felonious could protest, Kael clenched his fist, causing Felonious to collapse to the floor, writhing and contorting in pain as his veins began to glow with a crimson color, ebbing with palpable maloviolence. His eyes glazed over with a slight crimson.

  "I-I... w-will, I apologize." Felonious scurried up, almost running on all-fours as he hurried down the narrow, darkened chambers.